INTRODUCTION 25
No doubt Marshall anticipated a time of leisure to
pursue his Oriental studies and to arrange and amplify
the notes collected during the previous seven years.
But he was not long to enjoy his promotion. In
August 1677, after only eight months of office, an
epidemic, proving fatal to several of the Company's
servants, ravaged Balasore. Clavell, who had accom-
panied Streynsham Master from Hugh, and had re-
mained to assist Marshall in the reconstitution of Balasore
Factory and in the dispatch and unlading of the ships
from Europe, was among the first of the victims.
He and his wife, with an infant child, died on 3rd
and 4th August, 1677 (Factory Records^ Hugli^ vol. vii.).
Marshall at once wrote to apprise Matthias Vincent,
who automatically succeeded to the Chiefship. At
the same time he informed him of the urgent need
of assistants, since the sickness was widespread and
several of the Company's servants were incapacitated.
Again, on 9th, roth and 23rd August he forwarded
important papers and details of his proceedings to
the new head of affairs. Vincent replied by instructing
Marshall how to act until he could assume the reins
of office, but by the time his letter reached Balasore
the " raging distemper " there had claimed another
victim, and on I2th September the "much lamented
newes " of the death of Marshall, " about midnight "
on 3 ist August, 1677, after only five days' illness,
was received at Kasimbazar (Ibid?)*
Beyond a statement by Edmund Bugden (the only
surviving responsible official), that Marshall's effects
had been sealed up, pending Vincent's arrival at
Balasore, the records in India contain nothing further
regarding him, and the few entries in the Court